Forgiveness and Cowardice were brothers from yon
One day they set out to harvest father’s corn
They set on a pathway that led through the bush
With tools and provisions on a cart they could push
They got there and started with gusto and zest
But after a little while, they both had to rest
There!, said Forgiveness, lets sit by the stream
Aye, Said Cowardice, Aye Aye said He.
Then came along Anger, from a plantation nigh
Cowardice let out a whimper, Forgiveness let out a sigh
‘What brings you this way?’ Forgiveness obliged
‘Mind your damn business!’ Anger replied
‘Aye’, said Cowardice ‘Aye Aye’ he quaked
As Anger made off raising dust in his wake
‘Hmm, a wise laddie’, Said Anger as he turned to see
Suddenly interested by the young little wee
‘Please I need a side kick, can you come work for me?’
‘People resent me, but stay in my company,
It gains me much fame, much power and might
But within a short while, they all tire to fight’
‘If we act together, we can keep all constrained
I would make them to simmer, you’d keep them restrained
We’d own all the Nations, we’d master their Kings
We’ll corrode their minds with unimaginable things’
‘Ay’, said Cowardice, ‘Aye Aye’ said He
With his stomach rumbling and earthquakes in his knee
‘No’ said Forgiveness, ‘Brother, are you mad?’
‘Do you know what Anger’s asking, do you even understand?’
But Anger interjected with blood filling in his eyes
‘Don’t speak for the youngster, let him make his replies’
‘Do you think you know better than he how he should live?
Let him be bound to his answer, if its no, then I’ll leave.
So with a minacious look he turned to Cowardice
Took a deep breathe as he burned holes into his eyes
‘Answer me this, will you concede to work for me? ‘
‘Aye’ Wept Cowardice, ‘Aye Aye’ said He.
David Agogo
14th March, 2010